Automatic tong



2 Sheets-Sheet l W. C. BABIN ET AL AUTOMATIC TONG Original Filed July 24, 1930 Dec. 18, 1934.

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AUTOMA'TI C TONG Original Filed July 24, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 zjwumdoz \WHITNEK OBABIN. RAYMOND A. AMES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC TONG Whitney C. Babin and Raymond A. Ames, Beaumont, Tex., assignors to Beaumont Texan Tool Company, Beaumont, Tex., a corporation Refiled for abandoned application Serial No.

470,449, July 24, 1930. This application October 29, 1934, Serial No. 750,567

3 Claims. (01. 81-53) The invention relates to an improvement in ing the invention with one portion thereof shown automatically releasable make up tongs of the in section. type which are used in making up drill stem Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the'tong in and casing in the rotary method of drilling wells. p o to p the p p The invention is in the nature of an improveg- 3 S WS h h ad of th t as e odied 5 ment over the disclosure in the applications of i a modified form of the invention. Whitney c. Babin, Serial No. 364,635, filed May Fi 4 is aect o al v ew t rou t e c sp 20, 1929, for a Make up tong, Serial No. 447,118, m s w i h a us d to n ag the jaw. filed April 25, 1930, for Combination make up ig. 5 is another modified form of the head and break t tong which may be used to engage different sizes of 10 It is one of the objects of the invention to p provide a tong which will release its grip upon 1 Shows a handle 2, Which i pr vided With the pipe when a predetermined torque resistance a plu ality of openin s whereby the handle is encountered. may be connected to the make-up post which is vide a tong wherein one of the jaws will be redriven make-up and break-011i; tohgsn typ leased from engagement with the pipe when the a p po is shown n my -p nd n apresistance of the pipe to turning exerts a pre- 1311024131011, N $47,118-

determined pressure. This applicatloh is a fi O a previous 10 It is another object of the invention to prousual construction in connection with power- Another object of the invention isto provide ap li Serial 0 9 d t d uly 24,

a tong having a linkage construction which will 1930- e permit pivoting movement of the jaw with ree w q Of thls handle carries a p spect to the handle and release of such jaw. to Whlch 1S ll the head .l'aW member 5. Another object of the invention is to provide T1115 head- 5 15 arranged to e eive the pivot 7,

a tong having two pivotal jaws, one of which is ch carries the second law member 8. A p 25 adapted for engagement with the pipe by pivotal 9 carries a Wire 10, Which serves o e a e the movement of t handle; t respect to the bolts 4 and 7 to prevent their normal removal or other jaw and also adapted for release from the dlsplacelhem- Theshank Of this law member 01 pipe when t handle negotiates predeterhook 5 might be said to be that portion between i d degreeof pivoting the pins 4 and 7 designated by the character 81.

A still further object of the invention is to The ea 51:11 e 1 a i shown as m de provide a linkage which is adapted to operate up of Smgle Integral Plece and has 1711? Contact and release one of the pivotal jaws f the tong face 11 and the small handle 12 so that it may be when a predetermined resistance is encountered, readlly placed m Contact Wlth the plpe in combination with means to prevent such removed therefrom- The body 14 of the head 5 is 35 lease if desired formed as a yoke having the branches 15 and 16, Another object of the invention is to provide g ff m g k Beween a tong which will be automatically releasable ese ram es 8 Jaw 1s ada'p ed or plvotal 4 and will adjust itself to slight variations in the mwement- These branches 15 and r 16 are whose function will be later described.

The jaw 8 has a pipe engaging die 20 therein which is retained in place by a locking screw or other means 21. Particular attention should be out affecting the automatic releasing operation of the tong.

A still further object of the invention is to size of the pipe that is being encountered with formed with an arcuate rearward smface provide a clasp which is carried by' the handle directed t the Shank or extension 23" which is 45' and s adap e to engage With an extension formed on the rearward end of the jaw 8 beyond tion on one of the l ws 8 ha h l w m y be the pivot pin 7. This extension 23 is of arcuate moved in o en a m n w the P p but formation as at 24 and is provided with the inle s d frem t a p y movement of the hand clined surfaces 25. The beveled surface 25- is 5 Othe a d further O j c s of h i v t also arcuate in formation as it follows the curvawill be readily apparent to those skilled in the ture of the portion 24. A clasp 30 is pivoted at 31' art when the following description is considered to the handle 2 at a point below or outside of the I in connection with the accompanying drawings pin 4. This clasp comprises two arms or links wherein: 31 which are disposed on opposite sides of the Fig. 1 is an edge elevation of a tong embodyhandle and are provided with recesses 32, which (55 '11; contacts the pipe as does the die 20.

are adapted to fit over the head 33 of the pin 34, which passes through the handle 2. A set screw 35 and nut 36 serve to adjust the relative position of the arms 31 with respect to the handle. A bolt 38 is adapted to pass through both of the arms 31, which are held thereon by means of the springs 39. and the nuts 40. The inward movement ofthearms31'is restrained by means of a spacer 42, which fits in recesses 43, which are formed in the opposite arms. the springs 39 tend to move the arms inwardly with the ball 33 as the fulcrum or pivot point.

The spacer 42 limits thisinward movement so that the outer ends 45 of the arms are spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive the jaw 8 or rather the extension webthereof. The arcuate portion 24 is supportedby theweb. 26 which.

is adapted to project between the two arms 31.

Suitable rollers or anti-friction members 47- are carried on each arm, these rollers being adapted o-t ve non the eve ed ace of t -a c extension 24.

Theoperation: of thetong is as. follows: The handle 2 is mounted by means of a bolt or other member passing throughthe openings 3, and upon the make-up post. The tong is then pivotedhorizontallyaboutthemakemp. post as a centerso that the head passes into contact with the pipe which is to be manipulated. The surface It is intended, however, that the head 5 willv be moved: clockwise about the pin 4) to such an extent that the. opening between the face 11 and the die 20 will be sufficient to receive the pipe.

When this position has been accomplished the rotary table which. carries themake-up post is started. This causes rotation of the handle 2 in a clockwise direction; The face 11 and the:

die 20tare thus caused to grip; against the pipe so that the handle then begins to pivot about the pin 4 as a center. In view of the fact that the clasp 30- is spacedawayfrom the pin 4 it will continueits movement. The rollers 4'7 engage upon. the beveled-face 25 and tend to pivot the jaw 8 about the pin '7. This pivoting movement causesthe die 20 .to securely grip against, the pip which. is tobe turned so that any continued movement of the handle 2 tends to increase the gripping force upon the pipe. It is to be understood that the force of the rollers 47 on the face 25tends to separate the two arms 31 so that the rollers47 may pass over the maximum width of the beveled face 25. This separating action, however, is=resisted by the springs 39 so that the turning..moment. is exerted upon the, jaw 8 by thehandle-2through the arms 31. In this manner the pipe is screwed into position with the adjacent section which is being held stationary. The. operation of the rotary table can not be controlled very accurately and it often occurs that where the tong is securely gripped to the pipe. that the continued rotation of the rotary will cause the threads of the pipe coupling or tool joint to-be mutilated or destroyed.

However, with the present tong the tension on the springs 39 maybe adjusted by means of the nuts it) so that when a predetermined pressure has been exerted by the die 20 upon the pipe: the compression on the springs 39 will be overcome and the arms 31 will tend to separate,

or tool joint, continued rotation of the-handle In this manner does not accomplish any further rotation of the pipe because the arms 31 begin to separate and after rotation is continued the rollers 47 will completely release the arcuate portion 24 of the jaw 8. When this release occurs the tong will swing free from the pipe and the operator is then advised that he maydiscontinue the 'rotation of the rotary table. It seems apparent that by. proper adjustment of the compression on the springs 30 that any desired torque may be transmitted tothe pipe which is being made up as the tension on the spring governs the amount of resistance to separation of the arms 31 and accordinglylthe resistance at which the jaw 8 will be released.

Attention is also directed to the beveled face 25' which is traversed by the rollers 47 as they move torelease position. When the rollers have been separated the maximum amount they then contact the face 25' so that the pressure of the springs 39 through the rollers?! tends to move the. jaw 8 in a counterclockwise direction so.

thatthe jaw willbe moved to, an oif positionaway from the pipe and insure release. When the clasp is free from the jaw thesprings instantly close it so that it is impossible for thetong to. rebound and' grasp the pipe a second time unless; ithas been reset. This is very important, because.

if. the tong were. to. rebound and grasp the. pipe a second time before it were resetthere would be no release and damage or injury would result. In other words the springs 39 have a double purpose as they compress when the arms 31" separate to permit the tong to release thepipepg and-instantly after the rollers 47 pass the crown of the cam between the faces 25 and 25" the springs expand to kickthe jaw 8 away from the pipe and retain. the tong it is reset.

.The arcuate formationof the portion 24-and the beveled face 25 is provided for the special purpose of adapting thetong to slightly different sizes of pipe. In this manner where a tool joint or'pipe has been worn considerably and is. of less diameter than a new pipe or joint, it will be necessary for the tong to grip this slightly smaller joint with the sameforce asit would grip a standard size pipe or joint. Thus the die 20 in open position until will pivot inwardly a greater distancextoward.

The rotary is brought to; astop so that the. handle 2 remains stationary andthe jaw 8 hav- 1 ing been forced into off position and into contact with the surface 18, the operator grasps.

the handle 12 on the head 5 and brings the end 50 of the clasp fingers 31 also into contact with the surface 18. The head 5 is then pivoted clockwise about the pin 4 which opens the space be.- tween the die 20 and face 11, so that the tong may be passed around the next piece of pipe. This action automatically forces the clasp and rollers to straddle over the web 26 into position of adjustment to whatever size joint may be in contact position at the instant. l I

Then, as he reverses the movement of the head 5 in the opposite direction, placing the head 5 or hook around the pipe, the rotary is started which moves the handle 2 clockwise about the pin 4, bringing into play the combined action of all these parts which keeps the tong in forceful contact with the pipe until the desired torque is reached. This action of the parts in resetting the tong is completely automatic except for the act of the operator in grasping the handle 12 and throwing the clasp into position, then moving the head 5 first in a clockwise direction about the pin 4 and then in the reverse direction and into position about the pipe.

When it is desired to use the tong for breaking out, it is only necessary to turn the tong over and fasten the clasp arms 31 to the jaws 8 so as to prevent it from tripping and still retain the automatic adjustment feature to accommodate the variation in sizes of tool joints. The jaw and clasp are fastened together by the operator who aligns the opening 53 in the jaw 8 with openings 52 in the clasp arms 31 and inserts a suitable pin. The clasp 30 will be securely locked so that the tong cannot trip or release. The rotary and handle 2 now remain stationary as before, the operator grasps the handle 12, on the head 5, and rotates or pivots the head 5 anti-clockwise about the pin 4, thus opening the tong to receive the pipe in contact with the face 11 on the head 5 and the die 20. The rotary is then started which carries the handle 2 clockwise about the pin 4. The jaw 8, and the clasp 30 being joined together form a linkage with the handle 2 and the shank of the jaw 5 to exert a pressure on the die 20 to engage the pipe. This combined action of all these parts linked together being further strengthened by the action of the fulcrum formed about the pin 4 by the handle 2 and the head 5, imparting an automatic adjustment about the pipe and also effecting a scissor-like gripping force, which is one of the most valuable features of the invention. When used for breaking out the tong may be swung from a catline and operated from the cat or breakout head on the draw works if desired.

Figs. 3 and 5 show a modified form of the head 5, which may be used in connection with the tong if desired. The primary purpose of these modifications is to provide a head which will be adjusted to accommodate pipes of different diameter or different sizes. In Fig. 3 the head is indicated generally by the reference character and comprises the shank 61 which receives the pins 4 and 7, the same as in the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The head portion, however, is arranged for adjustment with respect to the shank 61. This head or jaw 62 is pivoted on the pin 63 at a point beyond the pin 7. In this manner the face 11 is adjustable and can be moved toward or away from the die 20, which is carried on the jaw 8. It is intended that the adjustment of the head 62 will be such that it may be set and released very readily. This is accomplished by means of a pawl 65 pivoted on the pin 66 and formed with teeth 67. These teeth are arranged to cooperate with teeth 68 formed upon a finger 69 on the head 62. The handle 12 is the same as provided on the modification shown in Fig. 2. With this construction it seems apparent that the handle 12 may be used to adjust the position of the head 62 so that it will accommodate any size of pipe. When it is desired to reset the head 62 for another size it is only necessary to release the pawl 65 so that the teeth 67 and 68 will be disengaged and the head may then be pivoted about the pin 62. In the operation of the tong the modified heads of Figs. 3 and 5 will be manipulated the same as explained in connection with the Fig. 1 embodiment. However, care may be necessary not todisturb the adjustment of the jaw nose if the same size tool joint is to be gripped.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is somewhat similar to the modification just described except that the pawl 65 has been replaced by a lever 70 pivoted at 71 and provided with a lug 72. The handle 12 has been modified to comprise a lug 73 which is adapted to engage with the lug 72. The handle 12 is pivoted at 74 and in this manner when a clockwise pressure is exerted on the handle 12 the lugs 72 and 73 will engage so that the lever will pivot about its pin and disengage the teeth 67 and 68. The stop member 75 is provided to limit the forward movement of the handle 12 and a small spring 76 is used to normally retain the lugs 72 and 73 in position. This spring is anchored by means of the bolt 76.

The invention broadly embodies a four-bar linkage constituting the pivots 31', the rollers 47, and the pivot pins 4 and 7. In this linkage the clasp 30 and the curved portion or shank 23 of the jaws 8 serve as two members while the portion 80 of the handle, between the points 4 and 31 and the portion 81 of the shank of the head 5, between the points 4 and 7, serve as the other two links. The portions 80 and 81 are of less length than the links 30 and 23 so that upon movement of the handle 2 the die 20 is caused to pivot about the pin 7. In this way a leverage is obtained which will cause an enormous gripping pressure upon the pipe and at the same time the linkage is releasable by the spreading of the arms 31 due to a predetermined pressure upon the handle.

It is to be understood that various modifications and alterations may be made in the structure without departing from the spirit of the invention which is believed to be here disclosed as a practical and satisfactory design which will serve the purpose of an automatically releasable tong.

We claim:

1. A pipe tong of the automatically releasable type composed of parts including two jaws, a handle and a clasp, said parts being connected in the form of a four-bar linkage, one of said connections being adjustable automatically as a function of the size of the pipe engaged.

2. In an automatically releasable power driven pipe tong including a releasable jaw, a connecting link between the releasable jaw and the handle, said link including a pair of arms, and means to normally cause said arms to contact the jaw but releasable when a predetermined torque is exerted on the handle.

3. A pipe tong of the character described including a jaw member, a second jaw and a handle pivoted to said first jaw at different points, a link connecting said handle and said second jaw so that movement of said handle will cause relative pivoting of said jaw members, and means whereby said link will be releasable from said jaw upon exertion of a predetermined thrust on said tong, and means on said first jaw to reset said link with respect to said second jaw when said handle is retracted.

WHITNEY C. BABIN. RAYMOND A. AMES. 

